Come back on Tuesday!

Sorry, bods. Training all day today and off to London tomorrow until Monday evening.

Come back on Tuesday!

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C

So, I'm alive.

And well. :)

Having the lurgy sucked. Headache, sore ears, bad throat and dizziness. Better now.

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As a consequence of said lurgy, I haven't been up to much. Some golf on Sunday, which went all right considering it had been about eight months since I hit a ball. Not sure who won. I wasn't expecting to do so well, so didn't count score!

Dundee yesterday for some training. I did take camera with me, but getting up at nonsense time to make eight o' clock train had me longing for bed by lunchtime. I did grab a couple of captures of some boat or other, but then headed for train (and the aforementioned bed).

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LONDON, baby! Heading down on Thursday for a work day, but then staying down through to Monday afternoon for the fun and games. Mostly cultural fun and games, I think. British Museum, Tate Modern and suchlike.

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C

Lurgy

I am not well.

Annoyingly missing the careers fair at work - the event of the year don'tcherknow.

I'll care tomorrow. Today - dizzy.

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C

Caring Sharing

I've had to build a MySpace, um...space. And all because I'm the caring sharing type.

Small Jen texted last night. Poor her, she has the lurgy. Yay me - she had tickets for Willy Mason. So, although poor Jen had to hang out at home last night, feeling grotty, I (and Justin) got to go to see Willy Mason. Justin wasn't the first person I asked, but I'm very glad everyone else said, 'no', as he was excellent company as ever. (This consisting mainly of not minding when I ignore him in favour of sticking my face to my camera's viewfinder for the duration. Bless him.)

Other than somebody's-little-brother's-band, I'd never been to a 'proper' gig. A few jazz bars, plenty of concerts, and catching the sound of whoever's playing at the Castle on any given Hogmanay. But no gigs. Warm-up band were good, and I got some good pics, I reckon. Can't show you my bestest favourites as, unfortunately, they don't have enough detail in the smaller size / resolution, but others are below. As usual, some more are on my flickr stream.

Oh - and the caring sharing? I want to share the photos with Mr Mason and the other performers. He has a MySpace account for contact and you can't speak to a MySpace user unless you are a MySpace user.

So I have yet another malarkey to maintain. Eesh.

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Rehearsal tonight. Play is seriously incoming now!

I'm told that tickets are on sale, too! Those who are Edinburgh based should expect a wee email asking if they want to come. :)

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C

Hush

It's very quiet at work today. Quiet of people, really, as I have the radio on. On the Roses.

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Bit of excitement last night. Saw Cars and Pan's Labyrinth. Both good - latter better in effect and lighting than plot. Predictable.

The excitment came on my return to my hoose, in whose stairwell I found merry-loads of smoke. Still stinks. Happily, it was just a great big bin on fire in the basement. I didn't realise those doors on each second level were chutes to a bin. I figured it was something of the like, but never bothered to investigate. Shan't be going near it now, either, as it reeks of burnt rubber and rubbish.

On the upside, the fire bridade had to be called. And a few of them were hot! (This isn't usual - I've mostly found firemen to not, in fact, be the buff, ripped and half-clothed versions you see in pictures).

Also, they had handy labels. "Incident Coordinator" - "Access Coordinator" - he had a great big clipboard thing.

I would have preferred: "Gay." "Single." "Phenomenally turned on by wee geeky lookin' fellas." (And, yes, Patrick, if I ever do see a big brawny fireman with such a label, I'll call you and we can fight. Or perhaps share, if he's big enough.)

I did get some pics of man on ladder, but they're not uploaded yet. Haven't even looked at them as it was late by the time they cleared out and I got to go to bed.

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Me and my ever-more-beautiful niece. :) I shan't force the rest on you. They're here, for now. Well. Maybe one more.

Hung out with the family on Sat, which was nice. Lunch at International Starters and then a wee bitty retail therapy at Ocean Terminal. Even went round the Chinese supermarket with m'Da.

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We may have a book, you know. A story hit me the other day, and spilled out onto the page. There are now a further two chapters in my head. We are officially excited.

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Stick in,

C

Once more with feeling

Ah, yes. I realise blog has been somewhat of the lame this week what with one thing and another. So, we return. With more, greater and bigger chat. (Especially the bigger part - this requires only a change in font size!)



Well. Maybe not, eh?


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Been there. Done that.

Really must have a look at WOW sometime. Everyone creams themselves over it. And, speaking of games, we have a worry. I'm told that the game of Spiderman 3 is crappy. This must not be so! I'm not the type to slavishly follow reviews, but these are the Penny Arcade fellas. I know just how much they love the Spidey. Even as much as me. So, for him to say the new game sucks. It almost kind of must do.

Gutted.

Still going to try it, obviously. But I'm wary. So very wary.

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Aaaand, it's the weekend. Hurrah.

Weekend before payday. Boo!

Ah, s'not so bad. There is food, there is booze, there is the preferred 500ml bottles of fizz to mix with booze. Bro is down from Aberdeen with Paula and Evie, so there is enjoyable things to do. I believe we're going to International Starters.

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The mirror, bane of my feckin' life, remains not on the wall. Which means the blackboards remain behind it, blank and unused. There are no declensions. There are no crazy thoughts. There are no mind maps.

All is a blank wasteland.

OK, that's an exaggeration. Wonder who I can blackmail, beg or bully round this weekend to help me with the mirror. Ooh - two birds and one stone. I'll invite bro round to see new pad and, "...incidentally, Tom, while you're here..."

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This weekend. Hmmm. What to do with my time. It's supposed to be of the ming weather-wise, so I think some indoor sports are in order.

And by sports, I mean Spiderman 3 on the PS2. Obviously.

Perhaps some bedsports. You know, if I get lucky that way.

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C

There's a reason pride's a sin

Missed lunchtime. Mildly busy day at work.

*yawns*

I'll be witty tomorrow. Swear.

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Stick in,

C

Skip / Skippy

Yes, I skipped a day. But it was Skippy's fault. Oddly, he was being evil (not blogging when I know how you all pine without my weekday rambling), but also good (as he was encouraging me in writing a story.)

Hamish sent out the first chapter of his new book. One of the concepts in it hit the 'oooooh' button in my head and a story popped out. S'not bad.

Falkirk Wheel on Monday, which was fun, and picturesque.

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Rehearsal tonight, the old play is incoming soon!

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Stick in,

C

Late Late

It's ten to two, so most late blog.

I like having time off. It's pleasant. Liz and Jenny and I went on an adventure to the Falkirk Wheel. I have a brilliant photo of frowning Liz, but shan't put it up. I'll just snigger quietly up my sleeve.

Tomorrow I am also off. Yey.

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C

The queue just got longer

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Friday! Hurrah!

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C

8,361 and counting

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Photographs. Eight THOUSAND photographs. Since November 22nd of last year. Keen doesn't seem to be in it! I clocked the number on my camera the other day from the file name, which counts up. And I thought. "Eight thousand? Naaaaah."

It is true. 10.0 gigabytes of images. Eek!

(and, at the same time, *smug grin*).

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I did it. I lowered the temperature setting on my washing machine to 30 degrees. I am saving the environment. (But my clothes damn well better be clean and smelling nice, or you can bugger the environment.)

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Go Freecycle! Picking up some bamboo counter top off-cuts today which should fit nicely into the studio-building project.

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C

Poor, unfortunate murdered cartoon men

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Carthage Must Be Destroyed was most marvellously good. The first act was set in an actual steam bath from which you could feel the heat. I approve when a more intimate space is used properly. Sensation is one of the things that live theatre will always beat cinema at. Narring marvellous virtual technologies but they don't count. They're not cinema. They're marvellous virtual technologies.

Last night, one could feel the heat off the bath, see and smell the steam. There was some brilliant sound tech done too, which made the occasional shout ring as it would in a porcelain / stone built environment.

And, to be completely fair, the young man with the good complection helped a bit. That said, though, I think I would have gone off with the older fella. I'll get a chance to make an informed judgement, though. I think it was good enough to go see it again. Mum was supposed to come, but couldn't make it, so might reschedule and go again.

Hamish took the spare ticket and, it seems, enjoyed it.

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Deffo off to London at the end of the month - had I mentioned? All set for staying over with poor, unfortunate souls. Going out to get drunk and admire boys, some culture vulturing, a walk or two with my camera. Should be wicked good. :)

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C

Schedules and Such

Last night was Wicked Good. I've shifted from going to my Mum and Dad's house for tea every week to once every two weeks. And look - I actually achieved with my evening!

I think it might be Monday rather than every week that's inhibiting, though. I often get stuff done over the weekend and then want to continue on Monday night, but have to go out to the folks. (Have to! It's not like it's a chore, getting fed my dinner and drinking their red wine.) Quite often it's that I've cleaned flat on a Sunday and it's a pleasant place to work in Monday night.


Witter witter witter, but basically I'm thinking if I shift dinner to Tuesday, I can still get fed each week. :)

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Theatre tonight. Carthage Must Be Destroyed at the Traverse, which I have been looking forward to for about a month. I'm promised pretty boys and sweeping dramatic grandeur. Was supposed to be going with Mum, but it seems she's not well. Going down the list of pals to see who wants to come.


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Still not learned any lines! (Not doing myself any favours here as Jen read this. El Direktor!)


Tonight, going through Scene 3. Yes, before going to watch theatre. It doesn't start until eight.


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London trip mostly sorted. Nice people *waves to those concerned* are putting me up for a looong weekend, between them. Work are paying for train fare (getting the ten to six to King's Cross - that's AM - egad!) and what I really want to do in the Big Smoke is hit some galleries and museums, what are free anyway, so should work out not too expensive. (Maybe not once a night of as-promised debauchery in Soho is factored in, but hey ho!)

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C

Boobies Waiting On A Bus

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C

Stre-e-e-eeetch

A relaxed weekend. :)

Friday night was Spidey, part the third, which was Wicked Awesome. I really enjoyed it. And it taught us that evil people have better hair.

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As you can see, I remembered the tripod this weekend.

The purpose for which it was meant - panoramas - didn't work out so well, though. It was quite a dull day when I got to the top so it's not easy to stitch the different photies together. I'm a-workin' on it, though. Rome weren't built in a day. And I did manage something cool which required the solid-standing three-legger.

More to come. Unfortunately, I didn't pack well enough. I took a chocolate bar, thinking that'd be enough food. And only one bottle of water. So, when I got to the top, sweaty and peckish, the water and food didn't last long. Most especially not when I gave the second half of the bottle of water to two lads who had run (RUN!) up the steep switchback on the south-west elevation. Without any water. After chiding them for their foolishness, I gave them mine.

Next time I'm going back to packing some proper sandwiches. And a litre of water at least.

I think the lads in white tops were a gift from Buddha for being so nice. Don't they look well?

Oh, and btw, I've started using Flickr as an uploading medium for the blog, so all the photos should click through to a large version of themselves.

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As I say, a relaxing weekend. Went round to James and Alexis to watch the History Boys on Sat night, after being out and about all day.

Sunday was all about me. I went out the house, just not with other people. I cleaned the flat, took photos, read book, watched a (very) little TV, played computer games, napped, did some shopping.

I also got blackboards painted, cupboard in hall measured up, drew some designs for 'the studio'. Everyone seems to get very excited at mention of blackboards. Must be the inner child.

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Which means my 'to do' list for last week has almost been completed. Hurrah. Learning lines is next...

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C

Eep!

Forgot to blog! How outrageously singular.

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C

Well, finally!

Work have finally come through with approval on a trip. Hurrah! Heading down to London to visit Herbert Smith LLP for the day, which should be interesting. And, as it's a Thursday I'm hopefully going to take the Friday off and spend weekend down in the big smoke. Always providing there's no niggling over booking flight back on Sunday / Monday instead of Thursday evening. Might look at train ticket coming back on the Monday if not.

I've missed the wee trips, though. Not as shiny as personal travel, but hey - you have to pay for that personally, don't you?

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Thursday already and where does the week go? I have achieved almost nothing of my to do list so far.

Mirror remains unhung. MDF sheets remain unpainted and are still not blackboards. Photo magazines have been filed and referenced, though. And I've got plans for cupboard / animation studio done, if a bit sketchily.

And I've finished off the plasticine animal. It's no good. Well, that's not true. It's fine, it's just not good enough. But he (oh - I didn't know he was a he) isn't getting squished. I need him for scale and such. It's a process, after all. Making him first time round taught me to start from the body, rather than the feet.

Haven't learned any lines for play yet, but I think Small Jen might make good on her threats of actual bodily harm if I don't get that done soon. Better bump it up the list a bit.

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Visit Bessie tonight and then go round to Laura's for a bit. Get her chat as haven't seen her in a while.

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Can I ask when we stopped covering our mouths when we yawn? I went into the shop at lunch to grab some ham and, walking to the back of the queue, not less than four people yawned right in my face. How Desperately Rude. Honestly, where the F*CK did manners go? If your hands are full, at least tuck your head down towards your shoulder. I do not wish to get a good look at the back of your throat, thank you oh so very much.

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Stick in,

C

As per usual

I seem to have skinted myself again. Not to any 'can't eat for rest of month' level, but there will be little playing out this month. Handy that I'd already decided to be less sociable and more productive, eh?

I didn't mind last month as I knew I'd been awfully good to myself on my break from work, been places, done things, bought stuff. This month gods only know how I managed it. I don't remember spending fortunes on anything. Ah, well. Let's make it a challenge. The Chris Finds Free Things To Do month.

Like, as a for instance, take photographs.

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I can't find my bloody tape measure. Irritating that, as I need it to measure up cupboard in hall. I could have sworn I put it in my toolbox. Or maybe the box by the kitchen door. Or it could be in the box under the dining table. Or maybe in the collection on the living room window cill.

You see why I need this cupboard conversion - above and beyond a good, flat (but also adjustable) belly to chest height surface to animate on.

Just think of the storage possibilities. And no-one told me MDF was so cheap!

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If'n you like games with shooting in.

I love comics or stories like that. Ones that take the basic premise of something and really run with it. Read them all. First one here.

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The truly annoying thing about having spent myself skint is that I must apportion the gym joining fee to elsewhere. This means instead of lazily going to gym round corner and using the fully programmable cross-trainer, I now have to be running up Salisbury Crags. Egad.

Needs me a good camera bag. One which can be tightly slung across back. Wee satchel is great for carting camera about, but not at any speed.

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C

Showing Off

Aren't they pretty?



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So, I was wondering about wonder. And have we lost it?

I was watching 'Scotland on Film' last night. Basically, it's snippets of documentary footage alongisde interiews i' the auld folk. One of them spoke about her job in a 'big shop' (can't remember name) and how she's run up stairs instead of taking the lift so she could stop and watch all that was going on, and listen to the music.

Would your average fourteen year old think that was so terribly shit hot these days? Do not think sooooo.

So, are we losing our sense of wonder? The world's shrinking, cuisines from all over the globe are readily available. There's little that seems far away or exotic any more. People generally look at me like I'm crazy when I point at things and say, "Wow. That's beautiful." The response seems to be, "Yes, and...?"

Shame that.

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C